Done the easy stuff, lost a stone, what do I need to do next?

[BarrelOfOtters]

I've got a stone and a half to lose to be at a healthy weight for me. I'm 55.

I've lost a stone since November last year - 3 meals a day, more veg and no snacking and alcohol only if there's a good reason - like I'm out for dinner with a friend (rather than I'm bored on a Friday night in front of the telly.)

I'm also walking in and out of work - 40 minutes. And going to the gym 2/3 times a week for a weights types circuit class.

More easy wins...
I could up the effort at the gym
I could cut my portion sizes more - I don't weigh food out.

Anything else? Or do I have to move on to the hard stuff now.

Portion sizes.
My weight loss really picked up when I started weighing and logging food and tracking calories on My Fitness Pal -although don’t add exercise to MFP as it gives you calories burned back to eat and completely stalls progress.

Do you mean you are struggling to lose? Or are you losing steady?
portion sizes, weight training for me has sped mine up

I'm reisting with logging food just because I make a lot of stuff from scratch so I'm not sure how to log stuff that way.

But I suppose if I weigh out a portion of rice etc that's a good start.

Have you hit a plateau?
I vote for going with your easy wins.

Your life already seems fairly frugal and active, wondering what ‘hard stuff’ you have in mind!!

Rather than weighing up portions of food, maybe just look at the ratios on your plate - carbs v protein v veg etc?? It sounds like your non-regimented way of doing things is working so don't force too many obstacles/restrictions.

Love your desc of the alcohol thing though - I'm on SW and have been 'scared' to drink anything at all. I know it's not sustainable for long though so I need a more realistic tactic like yours.

I’ve not needed to ever go really hard to get the weight off and I am only a few kg from my goal now. I just made small adjustments and was patient when I hit a plateau. And started weights! Yes weighing out pasta/rice might be enough, replace them with veg for volume.

Thanks for the encouragement. It's honestly not been frugal or hard, I've just been a bit more aware of what I'm doing food wise. While I'm not enjoying the exercise as such, and I still feel rather out of place at the gym, I can feel it's doing me good.

I've plateaued a bit and am at the stage where I can see the next dress size down on the horizon but it's not quite there yet.

I started this with the mindset it was a marathon not a sprint as that would be sustainable.

Like tonight, DH is away, and I'd normally have a bit creamy pasta dish and a couple of large red wines. I'm going to a tomato based pasta dish and no alcohol and make sure I take the dog out for a walk rather than head straight for the stuff I like to watch on TV when he's not there.

I think you are doing really well. Especially considering Xmas was during that time.
stick at it

Well that worked out well, ended up at in laws having macaroni cheese, sticky toffee pudding and 2 large red wines.